In 2017, a Japanese manufacturer of airbags, Takata, was forced to file for bankruptcy relief because of the expected economic cost of significant recall actions related to airbags that malfunctioned or, in more than a few cases, exploded and cause serious injury, even death. It is estimated that 37 million vehicles are currently under recall for almost 50 million defective Takata airbags. An even greater number of airbags is scheduled to be recalled by the end of 2019, increasing the total number of affected airbags to anywhere from 65 to 70 million.
Product defects such as these may increase the injury risk to the passengers of affected automobiles in an accident. In the case of Takata’s defective airbags, they may explode upon deployment causing serious injury and death. Recently, at the end of 2017, while not on the scale of the Takata recall, Kia Motors America recalled approximately 2,000 brand new 2018 Sorento SUVs because of defective side curtain airbags.
Kia reported that the affected vehicles were manufactured between September 5 and November 29, 2017. The problem and risk created by the defect are the side curtain airbag inflator diffuser may detach from the inflator body during airbag deployment, increasing the risk of injury during an accident. Hyundai stated that it is not yet aware of any accidents or injuries related to the defective airbag.
Kia dealers will replace the driver- and passenger-side curtain airbags at no cost to vehicle owners who should have received notice of the defect and fix at the beginning of 2018. If you own a 2018 Kia Sorento or any vehicle that may contain Takata airbags, it is important to make sure you receive any communications from the manufacturer that provide information relating to immediate correction of the problem.
Attorneys must have the ability and expertise to analyze all of the legal and technical issues of a product liability matter since complicated technical issues may be present. If you or a loved one has suffered any type of injury, contact Powell Law at (570) 961-0777. The consultation is FREE and you don’t pay anything unless we win. Our attorneys, past and present, have represented individuals injured by defective products for 113 years. Call today!
